Design considerations for a low altitude long endurance solar powered unmanned aerial vehicle

J. Meyer, J. A.F. Du Plessis, P. Ellis, W. Clark

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents design considerations for a low altitude long endurance solar powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (LALE UAV). The considerations addressed include the determination of the available solar power, the design of the UAV wing for long endurance flights and the determination of the electrical power and energy balance of the UAV. Using these considerations, a solar powered UAV was designed and long endurance flight simulated. Based on the simulation results it is in principle possible to design and build a solar powered LALE UAV.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIEEE AFRICON 2007
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
EventIEEE AFRICON 2007 - Windhoek, South Africa
Duration: 26 Sept 200728 Sept 2007

Publication series

NameIEEE AFRICON Conference

Conference

ConferenceIEEE AFRICON 2007
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityWindhoek
Period26/09/0728/09/07

Keywords

  • Autonomous flight
  • Low altitude long endurance flight
  • Solar power
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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